Academic Skills Human Geography and Spatial Planning

Results Chapter

It is important that you display the results of empirical research in a structured way. Once you have designed tables and figures and selected quotations and photos, you have to think about how you are going to structure the results chapter. There is not a particular standard structure you should use, but you should be aware of the following:

  • In a thesis, you should discuss the steps that helped you answer your central question. The results chapter is structured in such a way that it contributes to answering that question.
  • When discussing survey or interview results, it is customary to first give a sketch of your group of respondents.
  • It makes sense to discuss each sub-question one at a time, possibly giving each of them their own individual section. If you are using a survey, do not be tempted to discuss the results in the order of your survey questions. After all, you created that order to serve a different purpose: to make it as easy as possible for the respondent.
  • Rather, you should work towards answering your central question. That way, it will not come as a surprise to the reader.
  • This chapter is about representing your results objectively. So, if student A and student B both have the same raw data and are asked to report on it, they will both individually come up with a results chapter with identical content. In the conclusion/discussion, however, students have more opportunity for personal expression. After all, the interpretation of the results (explanations and implications) depends on the person and the moment of writing (in ten years’ time, results could be interpreted differently).